If an injury has left you temporarily or permanently injured, you may qualify for disability benefits. However, the process of filing might not be as easy as you think. Before filing for disability, there are a few things you should consider.

The two most important things you can do after experiencing an injury at work are to report the incident to your boss, and then immediately seek treatment for your injury. If you wait several days. or even weeks, to see a doctor, your insurance company can list that as a reason why your claim was denied.

In a workers’ compensation case, your doctor or physician is responsible for so much more than treating your injuries. They’ll also be responsible for filling out paperwork, providing statements, giving a deposition, and stating their professional opinion about when (if ever) you can return to work.

Because something as small as a missed deadline can cause your claim to be rejected, the right physician can make or break your case.

Workers’ compensation is a broad term that relates to several different types of benefits. If you suffered an injury on the job, you could qualify for one of several benefits:

• Temporary disability benefits: If you suffered a temporary injury, like a broken bone, you will receive disability benefits only while recovering. Once your injury has healed, you are expected to return to work and will no longer receive the same benefits.

• Permanent disability benefits: If your injury or medical condition is more severe, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits. To qualify for permanent benefits, your treating doctor will have to prove that no amount of treatment or medication can improve your condition.

• Medical treatment: Medical treatment benefits will pay for any medicine, medical equipment, therapy, etc. that you need in order to get better.

• Vocational rehabilitation: This is the process of placing someone with a limited disability or impairment into a similar line of profession.

• Mileage: Compensation for workers’ comp-related travel, such as trips to the doctor’s office.

A common reason why employees don’t file for workers’ compensation is because they fear retaliation — being fired by their employer. Fortunately, there are legal protections that prohibit your employer from firing you simply because you filed for workers’ compensation. However, they can fire you while you’re out on disability if they can prove it has nothing to do with your claim (like company downsizing, layoffs, or previous poor work performance).

If you want to know more, call us or schedule an appointment online! We serve patients from Plymouth MI, Bloomfield Hills MI, Livonia MI, Novi MI, Worden MI, Canton MI, Southfield MI, Troy MI, Farmington Hills MI and BEYOND.